High density patch panel with modular cassettes

ABSTRACT

A patch panel may include a tray that is slidable between a retracted position and an extended position on tray supports and features for holding the tray in the retracted position and in the extended position. The patch panel may also include a cassette that is slidable on cassette supports, latches for engaging the cassette to block movement of the cassette and features for disengaging the latches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related and has right of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/525,791 of Vogel filed on Jun. 28,2017 and entitled “A High Density Enclosure with Modular Cassettes,” theentirety of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. Thepresent application is also related and has right of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/590,823 of Vogel filed on Nov. 27,2017 and entitled “A High Density Enclosure with Modular Cassettes,” theentirety of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to high density fiber opticpatch panels or enclosures for pre-terminated cassette modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large data centers frequently deploy rows of racks and/or cabinets forcross-connect applications. The installation of high density fiber opticpatch panels has been simplified and made more reliable by utilizingpre-terminated cassette modules installed in rack-mount enclosures.Although these pre-terminated cassettes have addressed many installationissues in terms of eliminating the need for field termination andpolishing, they've introduced others. In particular, there are certainapplications that require installation/maintenance from the rear side ofthe enclosure and others that lend to front-sideinstallation/maintenance. Many enclosures in the market only alloweither front side or rear side installation/maintenance; and, whilethere are a few solutions in the market that do allow for front and rearside access, the removal of the cassette module can be cumbersomerequiring two-handed manipulation in tight quarters.

In addition, space constraints (particularly in the 1RU enclosureversion) have traditionally required the use of flat head screws andcountersinks to attach cassette rails which add weight and assemblytime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a patch panel. The patch panel mayinclude a tray that is slidable between a retracted position and anextended position on the tray supports and features for holding the trayin the retracted position and in the extended position. The patch panelmay also include a cassette that is slidable on cassette supports,latches for engaging the cassette to block movement of the cassette andfeatures for disengaging the latches. Additional aspects and advantagesof the invention will be set forth in part in the following description,or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned throughpractice of the invention.

In a first example embodiment, a patch panel defines a lateraldirection, a transverse direction and a vertical direction that aremutually perpendicular, the patch panel includes a first tray supportand a second tray support. The first tray support has a pair of sliderails that are spaced along the vertical direction. The first traysupport defines a first detent and a second detent that are spaced alongthe transverse direction and are positioned between the pair of sliderails of the first tray support along the vertical direction. The secondtray support has a pair of slide rails that are spaced along thevertical direction. The second tray support defines a first detent and asecond detent that are spaced along the transverse direction and arepositioned between the pair of slide rails of the second tray supportalong the vertical direction. The second tray support is spaced from thefirst tray support along the lateral direction. A tray has a pluralityof cassette mounting bays. The tray has a first pair of detent followersand a second pair of detent followers. The detent followers of the firstpair of detent followers are spaced along the transverse direction andare positioned at a first side portion of the tray. The detent followersof the second pair of detent followers are spaced along the transversedirection and are positioned at a second side portion of the tray. Thefirst side portion of the tray is receivable between the pair of sliderails of the first tray support and the second side portion of the trayis receivable between the pair of slide rails of the second tray supportsuch that the tray is slidable along the transverse direction between aretracted position and an extended position on the first and second traysupports. One of the first pair of detent followers is received withinthe first detent of the first tray support and one of the second pair ofdetent followers is received within the first detent of the second traysupport in the extended position of the tray. Each of the first pair ofdetent followers is received within a respective one of the first andsecond detents of the first tray support and each of the second pair ofdetent followers is received within a respective one of the first andsecond detents of the second tray support in the retracted position ofthe tray.

In a second example embodiment, a patch panel defines a lateraldirection, a transverse direction and a vertical direction that aremutually perpendicular. The patch panel includes a tray that has aplurality of cassette mounting bays. The tray includes a first cassettesupport and a second cassette support. The first and second cassettesupports are positioned at opposite sides of one of the plurality ofcassette mounting bays along the lateral direction. The first cassettesupport has a first latch and a second latch that are each positioned atan opposite respective end portion of the first cassette support alongthe transverse direction. A cassette has a release slide positioned at afirst side portion of the cassette. The release slide has a first rampand a second ramp that are each positioned at an opposite respective endportion of the release slide along the transverse direction. The releaseslide is movable between a neutral position and a release position. Thefirst side portion of the cassette is receivable by the first cassettesupport and a second side portion of the tray is receivable by thesecond cassette support such that the cassette is slidable along thetransverse direction on the first and second cassette supports. Thefirst and second latches engage the cassette when the cassette ispositioned within the one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays andthe release slide is in the neutral position. The first ramp disengagesthe first latch from the cassette and the second ramp disengages thesecond latch from the cassette when the cassette is positioned withinthe one of the plurality of cassette mounting bays and the release slideis in the release position.

In a third example embodiment, a patch panel defines a lateraldirection, a transverse direction and a vertical direction that aremutually perpendicular. The patch panel includes a tray having aplurality of cassette mounting bays. The tray includes a first cassettesupport and a second cassette support. The first and second cassettesupports are positioned at opposite sides of one of the plurality ofcassette mounting bays along the lateral direction. The first cassettesupport has a first latch and a second latch that are each positioned atan opposite respective end portion of the first cassette support alongthe transverse direction. A cassette extends between a first sideportion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The firstside portion of the cassette is receivable by the first cassette supportand the second side portion of the tray is receivable by the secondcassette support such that the cassette is slidable along the transversedirection on the first and second cassette supports. The first andsecond latches are configured to engage the cassette such that the firstand second latches block movement of the cassette along the transversedirection when the cassette is positioned within the one of theplurality of cassette mounting bays. The cassette includes means forsimultaneously disengaging the first and second latches from thecassette when the cassette is positioned within the one of the pluralityof cassette mounting bays such that the cassette is slidable from theone of the plurality of cassette mounting bays at both a front and aback of the tray.

In a fourth example embodiment, a cassette defines a lateral directionand a transverse direction that are perpendicular. The cassette includesa cassette body that extends between a first side portion and a secondside portion along the lateral direction and between a front portion anda rear portion along the transverse direction. The cassette body definesa release slide slot at the first side portion of the cassette body. Therelease slide slot extends longitudinally between the front and rearportions of the cassette body along the transverse direction. A releaseslide is positioned within the release slide slot at the first sideportion of the cassette body. The release slide is movable between aneutral position and a release position along the transverse directionwithin the release slide slot. The release slide extends between a firstend portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction. Therelease slide has a first ramp and a second ramp. The first ramp ispositioned proximate the first end portion of the release slide, and thesecond ramp is positioned proximate the second end portion of therelease slide.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patch panel according to an exampleembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray support of the example patchpanel of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tray of the example patch panel ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tray support of FIG. 2 and the trayof FIG. 3 with the tray shown in a retracted position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray support of FIG. 2 and the trayof FIG. 3 with the tray shown in an extended position.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are other perspective views of the tray support and trayof FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cassette of the example patch panel ofFIG. 1 with a release slide shown in a neutral position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 8 with the releaseslide shown in a release position.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the cassette of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cassette support of the example patchpanel of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 8 and the cassettesupport of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is a section view of the cassette and cassette support of FIG.12 .

FIG. 14 is a partial, elevation view of the tray support of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 15 is a side, elevation view of a slide of the tray of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 16 is top, plan view of a

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patch panel 100 according to anexample embodiment of the present subject matter. One of ordinary skillin the art may also refer to patch panel 100 as a “patch enclosure.” Asmay be seen in FIG. 1 , patch panel 100 includes an enclosure 110, apair of tray supports 120, a plurality of trays 130, a plurality ofcassette supports 140 and a plurality of cassettes 150. Patch panel 100may be generally referred to as a “rackmount high density connectivityplatform.” Cassettes 150 may be modular and suitable for patch, patch &splice, wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM), and splitterapplications. Thus, e.g., each cassette 150 may include connectors (suchas LC connectors, MPO connecters, etc.) at a front and a rear of thecassette 150, and fibers within the cassette 150 may extend between thevarious connectors at the front and rear of the cassette 150. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, patch panel 100 includes features forregulating movement of trays 130 on tray supports 120 and/or featuresfor regulating movement of cassettes 150 on cassette supports 140. Suchfeatures may facilitate access to cassettes 150 and thereby assist auser with connecting optical fibers to cassettes 150. Cassettes 150include ports at a front and rear of cassettes 150 and optical fiberswithin cassettes 150 connect the ports at front and rear of cassettes150.

Patch panel 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction Land a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral and transversedirections V, L, T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonaldirection system. Trays 130 may be mounted on tray supports 120 withinenclosure 110 such that trays 130 are slidable relative to tray supports120 along the transverse direction T. Similarly, cassettes 150 may bemounted on cassette supports 140 within enclosure 110 such thatcassettes 150 are slidable relative to cassette supports 140 and/or tray130 along the transverse direction T

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of tray supports 120, and FIG. 3 isa perspective view of one of trays 130. In FIG. 2 , only one of traysupports 120 is shown. It will be understood that patch panel 100 mayalso include another tray support at an opposite side of enclosure 110along the lateral direction L, and the other tray support may be formedin the same or similar manner to tray support 120 shown in FIG. 2 .Thus, patch panel 100 may include two tray supports 120 at oppositesides of enclosure 110 along the lateral direction L. Tray supports 120may also be staked along the vertical direction V to form a 2RUpanel/enclosure, a 3RU panel/enclosure, etc. Tray supports 120 may bemounted to enclosure 110 with adhesive, tape and/or fasteners. Inparticular, a tray support base 128 of tray support 120 may be adhered,taped and/or fastened to enclosure 110.

Tray support 120 has a pair of slide rails 122. Slide rails 122 may bemounted to or formed with tray support base 128 such that slide rails122 extend from tray support base 128, e.g., along the lateral directionL. Slide rails 122 are spaced apart from each other along the verticaldirection V. In particular, slide rails 122 may be spaced apart alongthe vertical direction V such that tray 130 is slideable between sliderails 122. Thus, slide rails 122 may support tray 130 such that tray 130is movable relative to enclosure 110 on tray supports 120. As shown inFIG. 2 , tray support 120 may include multiple pairs of slide rails 122such that multiple trays 130 may be mounted to tray support 120. Thus,while discussed in greater detail below in the context of a single pairof slide rails 122 and one tray 130, multiple trays 130 may be mountedto tray support 120 in example embodiments.

Tray support 120 also defines a first detent 124 and a second detent126. First and second detents 124, 126 may formed in tray support base128 such that first and second detents 124, 126 extend into or throughtray support base 128, e.g., along the lateral direction L. First andsecond detents 124, 126 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., alongthe transverse direction T. In addition, first and second detents 124,126 may be positioned between slide rails 122, e.g., along the verticaldirection V.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , tray 130 includes a slide 132 with a pair ofdetent followers 134. Only one side of tray 130 is shown in FIG. 3 . Itwill be understood that tray 130 may also include another slide at anopposite side of tray 130 along the lateral direction L, and the otherslide may be formed in the same or similar manner to slide 132 shown inFIG. 3 . Thus, tray 130 may include two slides 132 at opposite sides oftray 130 along the lateral direction L. In particular, tray 130 mayextend between a first side portion 137 and a second side portion 139along the lateral direction L. One of slides 132 may be mounted to traybody 131 at first side portion 137 of tray body 131, and the other ofslides 132 may be mounted to tray body 131 at second side portion 139 oftray body 131. Slides 132 may be mounted to a tray body 131 withmounting tabs 133 formed with tray body 131 and/or a fastener 135 thatextends through tray body 131 and slide 132.

As noted above, slide rails 122 may be spaced apart along the verticaldirection V such that tray 130 is slideable between slide rails 122. Inparticular, slide 132 of tray 130 may be positioned between slide rails122 of tray support 120 in order to slidably mount tray 130 to traysupport 120. Detent followers 134 can engage with first and seconddetents 124, 126 to hold tray 130 in either an extended position (FIGS.5, 6 and 7 ) or a retracted position (FIG. 4 ). In particular, one ofthe detent followers 134 is received within first detent 124 of traysupport 120 when tray 130 is in the extended position. The other of thedetent followers 134 is not received within second detent 126 of traysupport 120 and may be removed from between slide rails 122 of traysupport 120 when tray 130 is in the extended position. In contrast, eachof the detent followers 134 is received within a respective one of firstand second detents 124, 126 when tray 130 is in the retracted position.

Detent followers 134 may be formed on a fixed beam or a cantileveredbeam, and elastic deformation of the beam allows detent followers 134 totranslate along the lateral direction L. Such motion of detent followers134 allows detent followers 134 to extend into and retract out of firstand second detents 124, 126 as a user slides tray 130 relative to traysupport 120. In particular, detent followers 134 may deflect along thelateral direction L as tray 130 shifts between the extended position andthe retracted position. In addition to holding tray 130 in either theretracted position or the extend position, detent followers 134 togetherwith first and second detents 124, 126 may provide tactile feedback tothe user regarding the position of the tray 130 on tray support 120. Inparticular, the user may feel when detent followers 134 enter first andsecond detents 124, 126 when the user adjusts tray 130 to the retractedposition, and the user may feel when detent followers 134 exit first andsecond detents 124, 126 as the user adjusts tray 130 from the retractedposition. Such tactile feedback can inform the user when to stop pushingor pulling on the tray 130.

As may be seen from the above, tray support 120 may cooperate with tray130 to allow sliding of tray 130 along the transverse direction Trelative to tray support 120. In general, the sliding tray mechanismfunctions as follows. Tray 130 has attached slides 132 that allow tray130 to slide within slide rails 122 mounted to internal sides ofenclosure 110. Slide rails 122 contain two detents. In the home orretracted position, both detents are engaged while only the front detentis utilized in the extended position. As the tray 130 is pulled forwardfrom the retracted position, detent followers flex inward and afford acertain level of resistance until the rear detent follower aligns withthe front detent in the extended position and locks in place.

Patch panel 100 also includes features for preventing or avoidingoverextension of tray 130 from tray support 120. As shown in FIG. 2 ,tray support 120 includes a tray release lever 125 with a locking tab127. Tray release lever 125 may be mounted to or formed with traysupport base 128. In particular, tray release lever 125 may extend fromtray support base 128 along the transverse direction T and/or may becantilevered from tray support base 128 such that a distal end of trayrelease lever 125 may move along the vertical direction V relative totray support base 128. Thus, tray release lever 125 may bend along thevertical direction V as tray 130 shifts between the extended positionand the retracted position. In particular, tray release lever 125 mayautomatically bend upwardly along the vertical direction V as trayrelease lever 125 (e.g., locking tab 127) slides along an extendedposition ramp 171 at a front portion of slide 132. Tray release lever125 engages tray 130 in the extended position of tray 130 to preventoverextension of tray 130 from tray support 120. In particular, tray 130(e.g., slide 132 of tray 130) defines a tray locking slot 138. Lockingtab 127 of tray release lever 125 is received within tray locking slot138 when tray 130 is in the extended position. Thus, locking tab 127 oftray release lever 125 selectively holds tray 130 in the extendedposition.

Tray release lever 125 may ensure that tray 130 is not inadvertentlyremoved or pulled passed the extended position. In general, tray lockingslot 138 on tray 130 and locking tab 127 on tray release lever 125interlock and work in concert to prevent tray 130 from beinginadvertently removed or pulled passed the extended position. This isaccomplished when slide 132 of tray 130 automatically lifts tray releaselever 125 as tray 130 is pulled forward from the retracted positon untillocking tab 127 aligns with tray locking slot 138 and falls into placeand locks tray 130 in the extended position. If tray removal is desired,tray release lever 125 may be manually lifted in order to releaselocking tab 127 from tray locking slot 138. While in the extendedposition, tray 130 affords access to perform moves, adds, and/or changeswith front side patch cords or to remove cassettes 150.

As shown in FIG. 15 , tray locking slot 138 may include a sloped surface139, e.g., at a rear portion of tray locking slot 138. Tray releaselever 125 may automatically bend upwardly along the vertical direction Vas tray release lever 125 (e.g., locking tab 127) slides along slopedsurface 13 of tray locking slot 138. Thus, slide 132 of tray 130 mayautomatically lift tray release lever 125 from tray locking slot 138 astray 130 is pushed backward from the extended position into theretracted positon. In alternative example embodiments, once locked inthe extended position, tray release lever 125 may be manually lifted toallow tray 130 to be slid back into the retracted position.

As may be seen in FIG. 14 , a bottom slide rail 121 of slide rails 122defines a support surface 170 and a sloped surface 172. Sloped surface172 extends between a top portion 174 and a bottom portion 176 along thetransverse direction T. Top portion 174 of sloped surface 172 is alsopositioned above or higher than bottom portion 176 of sloped surface 172along the vertical direction V. Thus, top portion 174 and bottom portion176 of sloped surface 172 are spaced from each other along the verticaldirection V and the transverse direction T. Bottom portion 176 of slopedsurface 172 is positioned at support surface 170, and top portion 174 ofsloped surface 172 is positioned proximate tray release lever 125. Thus,sloped surface 172 extends upwardly along the vertical direction V fromsupport surface 170 towards tray release lever 125.

Slide 132 of tray 130 rests on bottom slide rail 121 when tray 130 is inthe retracted position, and slide 132 of tray 130 slides on bottom sliderail 121 as a user adjusts tray 130 from the retracted position towardsthe extended position. Support surface 170 may be generally flat andoriented horizontally. Thus, when tray 130 rests or slides on supportsurface 170, tray 130 may slide horizontally. In contrast, tray 130 maymove upwardly along the vertical direction V when tray 130 slides onsloped surface 172. By urging tray 130 upwardly along the verticaldirection V, sloped surface 172 may facilitate engagement of traylocking slot 138 on tray 130 with locking tab 127 on tray release lever125. In particular, when tray 130 is in the extend position, the distalend of tray 130 may deflect or pivot downwardly along the verticaldirection V less than when bottom slide rail 121 only includes thehorizontal support surface 170.

The position and/or angle of sloped surface 172 may be selected tofacilitate engagement of tray release lever 125 with slide 122, e.g.,while not interfering with sliding of tray 130 on tray support 120. Forexample, a spacing between top portion 174 of sloped surface 172 and thetop one of slide rails 122 may be less than a spacing between bottomportion 176 of sloped surface 172 and the top one of slide rails 122. Asa more particular example, sloped surface 172 may define an angle α withsupport surface 170, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to thelateral direction L. The angle α may be less than one hundred and eightydegrees and greater than one hundred and seventy-five degrees. Asanother example, top portion 174 of sloped surface 172 may be spacedfrom bottom portion 176 of sloped surface 172 along the verticaldirection V by no less than one micrometer and no more than onemillimeter. A length of sloped surface 172 along the transversedirection T between top and bottom portions 174, 176 of sloped surface172 may be no less than five millimeters and no greater than fiftymillimeters, in certain example embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of cassettes 150, and FIG. 11 is aperspective view of one of cassette supports 140. In FIG. 11 , only oneof cassette supports 140 is shown. It will be understood that patchpanel 100 may also include a plurality of additional cassette supportsat various locations on trays 130, and the other cassette supports maybe formed in the same or similar manner to cassette support 140 shown inFIG. 11 . As shown in FIG. 1 , tray 130 has a plurality of cassettemounting bays 160, and cassette supports 140 are mounted on tray 130 atcassette mounting bays 160 to provide a mounting structure for cassettes150 in cassette mounting bays 160. Thus, patch panel 100 may includecassette supports 140 at opposite sides of each cassette mounting bay160 along the lateral direction L. Cassette supports 140 may be mountedto tray 130 with thermal staking, ultrasonically welding, adhesive, tapeand/or fasteners. In certain example, embodiments, cassette supports 140may be mounted to tray 130 without fasteners, such as screws. Onelateral side of each cassette 150 may be mounted to a respectivecassette support 140 with latches as described in greater detail below,and the opposite lateral side of each cassette 150 may be slideablymounted to a respective cassette support 140, e.g., by a slide rail oncassette 150 received within a slot on the respective cassette support140 or by sliding the cassette 150 between slide rails on the respectivecassette support 140.

Turing back to FIG. 11 , cassette support 140 may include a pair ofslide rails 141. Slide rails 141 are spaced apart from each other alongthe vertical direction V. In particular, slide rails 141 may be spacedapart along the vertical direction V such that cassette 150 is slideablebetween slide rails 141. Thus, slide rails 141 may support cassette 150such that cassette 150 is movable relative to tray 130 on cassettesupport 140. Cassette support 140 also has a first latch 142 and asecond latch 144. First and second latches 142, 144 are each positionedat an opposite respective end portion of cassette support 140 along thetransverse direction T. Thus, e.g., cassette support 140 may extendbetween a front portion 146 and a rear portion 148 along the transversedirection T. First latch 142 may be positioned at front portion 146 ofcassette support 140, and second latch 144 may be positioned at rearportion 148 of cassette support 140. Slide rails 141 may be positionedbetween first and second latches 142, 144, e.g., along the transversedirection T. First and second latches 142, 144 may be configured toallow insertion of cassette 150 into cassette mounting bay 160 from afront 180 or a rear 182 of tray 130.

In example embodiments, first and second latches 142, 144 may beconstructed in the same or similar manner as shown in FIG. 11 . Thus,first latch 142 may be constructed according to the description providedbelow for second latch 144. As shown in FIG. 11 , second latch 144 iscantilevered such that an arm 162 is elastically deformable and a catch164 is moveable along the lateral direction L on the arm 162. The catch164 may include a sloped surface 166 and a locking surface 168 that faceopposite each other along the transverse direction T.

Sloped surfaces 166 of first and second latches 142, 144 may assist withmoving first and second latches 142, 144 to allow insertion of cassette150 into cassette mounting bay 160. Locking surfaces 168 of first andsecond latches 142, 144 may assist with holding cassette 150 withincassette mounting bay 160. Thus, locking surface 168 of first latch 142may engage a front of cassette 150 while locking surface 168 of secondlatch 144 may engage a rear of cassette 150 when cassette 150 ispositioned within the cassette mounting bay 160. In such a manner,cassette 150 may be positioned between locking surfaces 168 of first andsecond latches 142, 144 along the transverse direction T when cassette150 is positioned within the cassette mounting bay 160, and first andsecond latches 142, 144 may block movement of cassette 150 from cassettemounting bay 160.

When a user inserts cassette 150 into cassette mounting bay 160 fromfront 180 of tray 130, the cassette 150 may first impact sloped surface166 of first latch 142, and cassette 150 may slide along sloped surface166 of first latch 142 such that catch 164 of first latch 142 movesoutwardly along the lateral direction L on arm 162 of first latch 142.Cassette 150 may then slide between slide rails 141 until cassette 150is fully within cassette mounting bay 160 at which point catch 164 offirst latch 142 moves inwardly along the lateral direction L on arm 162of first latch 142. Locking surface 168 of first latch 142 may face andengage cassette 150 when cassette 150 is within cassette mounting bay160.

Similarly, when a user inserts cassette 150 into cassette mounting bay160 from rear 182 of tray 130, the cassette 150 may first impact slopedsurface 166 of second latch 144, and cassette 150 may slide along slopedsurface 166 of second latch 144 such that catch 164 of second latch 144moves outwardly along the lateral direction L on arm 162 of second latch144. Cassette 150 may then slide between slide rails 141 until cassette150 is fully within cassette mounting bay 160 at which point catch 164of second latch 144 moves inwardly along the lateral direction L on arm162 of second latch 144. Locking surface 168 of second latch 144 mayface and engage cassette 150 when cassette 150 is within cassettemounting bay 160.

Cassette 150 includes features for allowing removal cassette 150 fromcassette mounting bay 160, e.g., by disengaging first and second latches142, 144. As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 , cassette 150 includes arelease slide 159. For example, a cassette body 151 of cassette 150 mayextend between first side portion 152 and a second side portion 154along the lateral direction L. Cassette body 151 may also extend betweena front portion 153 and a rear portion 155 along the transversedirection T. Cassette body 151 may define a release slide slot 156 atthe first side portion 152 of cassette body 151. Release slide slot 156may extend longitudinally between front and rear portions 153, 155 ofcassette body 151 along the transverse direction T. Release slide 159 ismovable between a neutral (or locking) position and a release positionwithin release slide slot 156.

Release slide 159 has a first ramp 157 and a second ramp 158. First andsecond ramps 157, 158 are each positioned at an opposite respective endportion of release slide 159 along the transverse direction T. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 10 , release slide 159 may extend between afirst end portion 178 and a second end portion 179 along the transversedirection T. First ramp 157 may be positioned proximate first endportion 178 of release slide 159, and second ramp 158 may be positionedproximate second end portion 179 of release slide 159.

First and second ramps 157, 158 may assist with actuating first andsecond latches 142, 144 to allow removal of cassette 150 from cassettemounting bay 160. As shown in FIG. 12 , first and second latches 142,144 engage cassette 150 when cassette 150 is positioned within cassettemounting bay 160 and release slide 159 is in the neutral position. Incontrast, when a user shifts release slide 159 to the release position,first ramp 157 may slide against and disengage first latch 142 fromcassette 150 and/or second ramp 158 may slide against and disengagesecond latch 144 from cassette 150. In particular, sloped surfaces offirst and second ramps 157, 158 may slide against and lift catches 164of first and second latches 142, 144 such that catches 164 of first andsecond latches 142, 144 move outwardly along the lateral direction Laway from cassette 150. Thus, the user may slide release slide 159 fromthe neutral position to the release position to simultaneously disengagefirst and second latches 142, 144 from cassette 150 and allow removal ofcassette 150 from cassette mounting bay 160 at either front 180 of tray130 or rear 182 of tray 130.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , cassette body 151 defines a first ramp slot190 and a second ramp slot 192 at first side portion 152 of cassettebody 151. First ramp slot 190 may be positioned at front portion 153 ofcassette body 151, and second ramp slot 192 may be positioned at rearportion 155 of cassette body 151. First ramp 157 is slidable into andfrom first ramp slot 190. When release slide 159 is in the neutralposition, first ramp 157 is disposed within first ramp slot 190, e.g.,such that first ramp 157 does not engage first latch 142. In contrast,as release slide 159 shifts from the neutral positon to the releaseposition, first ramp 157 slides from first ramp slot 190 and engagesfirst latch 142 in the manner described above. Second ramp 158 isslidable into and from second ramp slot 192. When release slide 159 isin the neutral position, second ramp 158 is disposed outside of secondramp slot 192, e.g., such that second ramp 158 does not engage secondlatch 144. In contrast, at least a portion of second ramp 158 isreceived within second ramp slot 192 when release slide 159 is in therelease position. As release slide 159 shifts from the neutral positonto the release position, second ramp 158 slides into second ramp slot192 and engages second latch 144 in the manner described above.

Release slide 159 may have a first handle 184 and a second handle 186.First handle 184 is positioned at first end portion 178 of release slide159, and second handle 186 is positioned at second end portion 179 ofrelease slide 159. Release slide 159 is manually shiftable between thelocking and release positions with first and second handles 184, 186.Thus, a user may shift release slide 159 between the locking and releasepositions from front 180 of tray 130 with first handle 184 and from rear182 of tray 130 with second handle 186. In the example embodiment shownin FIGS. 8 through 10 , first handle 184 may be a pull handle, andsecond handle 186 may be a push handle. In alternative exampleembodiments, release slide 159 may be flipped on cassette 150 such thatthe position of first and second ramps 157, 158 is switched. In suchexample embodiments, first handle 184 may be a push handle, and secondhandle 186 may be a pull handle.

As may be seen from the above, cassette support 140 may cooperate withcassette 150 to allow sliding of cassette 150 along the transversedirection T relative to cassette support 140. Generally, the slidingcassette mechanism functions as follows. Cassette 150 has integralslides on both sides of cassette 150 that a received between slide rails141 of cassette support 140. The side of cassette 150 with the lockingmechanism may be larger in size to house release slide 159. Cassettesupports 140 may only allow linear translation of cassette 150 along thetransverse direction T (e.g., front to back and back to front).

As shown in FIG. 16 , release slide 159 has a protrusion 188, e.g.,proximate a middle portion of release slide 159. Protrusion 188 isengagable with one or more lips (not shown) on cassette body 151 withinrelease slide slot 156. For example, protrusion 188 may contact the oneor more lips on cassette body 151 such that interference betweenprotrusion 188 and the one or more lips on cassette body 151 hinderrelease slide 159 from inadvertently shifting between the neutralposition and the release position. Thus, protrusion 188 may assist withholding release slide 159 in a current one of the neutral position andthe release position.

The present subject matter has numerous advantages over known highdensity fiber optic patch panels for pre-terminated cassette modules.For example, cassettes 150 may be installed and removed by single-handmanipulation for both front and rear install/release scenarios. Inaddition, the using adhesive tape and/or thermal staking to mount traysupport 120 and/or cassette support 140 eliminates traditional fastenerssaving space and assembly time.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An enclosure defining a vertical direction, alateral direction, and a transverse direction, the enclosure comprising:a plurality of tray supports having a plurality of slide rails spacedalong the vertical direction, wherein the plurality of tray supports aredisposed within the enclosure, the plurality of tray supports configuredto receive a cassette therebetween such that the cassette is slidablealong the plurality of tray supports between a retracted position and aplurality of extended positions.
 22. The enclosure of claim 21, whereinthe plurality of extended positions comprise a first extended positionand a second extended position spaced apart from one another in adirection corresponding to a sliding direction along which the cassetteis slidable along the plurality of tray supports.
 23. The enclosure ofclaim 22, wherein at least one of the plurality of tray supportscomprises: a locking tab, wherein the second extended positioncorresponds to a position in which a slot at the cassette interacts withthe locking tab.
 24. The enclosure of claim 23, wherein the locking tabis disposed on a tray release lever of at least one of the plurality oftray supports.
 25. The enclosure of claim 21, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of tray supports comprises: a plurality of side railsspaced along the vertical direction; and a first detent and a seconddetent spaced apart from one another in a direction corresponding to asliding direction along which the cassette is slidable along theplurality of tray supports.
 26. The enclosure of claim 25, wherein theplurality of extended positions comprise a first extended position and asecond extended position spaced apart from one another in a directioncorresponding to the sliding direction along which the cassette isslidable along the plurality of tray supports, wherein the firstextended position corresponds to a position in which a portion of thecassette interacts with the first detent.
 27. The enclosure of claim 25,wherein the first and second detents are disposed on a lateral surfaceof a side portion of at least one of the plurality of tray supports. 28.The enclosure of claim 21, comprising: the cassette comprising aplurality of side portions receivable between the plurality of traysupports.
 29. The enclosure of claim 28, the cassette comprising aplurality of tray locking slots spaced apart from one another in thedirection corresponding to the sliding direction along which thecassette is slidable.
 30. The enclosure of claim 28, wherein at leastone of the plurality of tray locking slots is disposed on a non-lateralsurface of at least one of the plurality of side portions of the atleast one of the plurality of tray supports.
 31. The enclosure of claim28, wherein at least one of the plurality of tray locking slots isdisposed closer to a front side of the cassette than another of theplurality of tray locking slot.
 32. The enclosure of claim 28, thecassette comprising a cassette body extending between the plurality ofside portions, the cassette body comprising a release slide slotextending between front and rear portion of the cassette body.
 33. Theenclosure of claim 32, the cassette comprising a release slidepositioned within the release slide slot, the release slide movablebetween a neutral position and a release position.
 34. The enclosure ofclaim 33, wherein the release slide comprises a ramp configured toactuate a latch to remove the cassette from the enclosure.
 35. Theenclosure of claim 33, wherein the release slide comprises a rampconfigured to slide against and lift a catch at a latch such that thecatch moves away from the cassette.
 36. The enclosure of claim 33,wherein the release slide is configured to simultaneously disengage aplurality of latches when moved from the neutral position to the releaseposition.
 37. The enclosure of claim 32, the cassette body forming aplurality of ramp slots, wherein a ramp is slidable into and from one ormore of the plurality of ramp slots, wherein when the release slide isin the neutral position, the ramp does not engage a latch.
 38. Theenclosure of claim 37, wherein when the release slide is in the releaseposition, the ramp slides from one or more of the plurality of rampslots to engage the latch.
 39. The enclosure of claim 32, the cassettebody forming a plurality of ramp slots, wherein a plurality of ramps isslidable into and from a respective one or more of the plurality of rampslots, wherein when the release slide is in the neutral position, theplurality of ramps does not engage a latch.
 40. The enclosure of claim39, wherein when the release slide is in the release position, theplurality of ramps slide from the respective one or more of theplurality of ramp slots to engage the respective latch.